Brief Report Enrollment in a Drug-free Detention Program: the Prediction of Successful Behavior Change of Drug-using Inmates

Factors predicting the behavior change of drug-using detainees were investigated in detainees in two penitentiaries in The Netherlands. Subjects attended either a standard program or a Drug-Free Detention Program (DFDP) and were assessed at the beginning of detention, at release/transfer, and at 2 years after the end of detention. Predictors of postprogram contact with treatment agencies and changes in criminal recidivism, substance abuse. and psychosocial functioning were investigated using regression analysis. Detainees who started drug use early, without previous DFDP detention, and who frequently expressed selfesteem and who had many family problems realized meetings with drug treatment agencies more often. Those with a legal source of income showed decreases in addiction severity and in the number of days in which hard drugs were used. Comparison of the normal program and the DFDP showed that only for the normal wing could changes in substance use and psychosocial functioning be predicted. Results show the value of multiple-outcome criteria in criminal recidivism research and call for more studies investigating change processes. Because of the indisputable link between drug use and crime (Ball, Shaffer, & Nurco, 1983; Johnson, Lipton, & Wish, 1986) many of the addicted eventually are involved with the penal system. This creates a good opportunity for treatment. Research on Drug-Free Detention Programs (DFDPs) suggests that these programs can decrease recidivism and drug use rates (Platt, Labate, & Wicks. 1977; Field, 1989; Leukefeld & Tims, 1992; Lipton, 1994). The major determinants of success of DFDPs are: (1) rcmaining in the program between 9 and 12 months; (2) a relatively older age; (3) a relatively short criminal history. In general, the less severe cases are the ones that are least likely to become recidivists (Lipton, 1994). Notably. these studies address the status of the inmates subsequent to the DFDP. While severe casts may result in recidivism more than minor cases in absolute terms, their relative change can be significantly greater. Apart from this, insight in change processes is also needed concerning drug abuse, as well as physical and psychosocial functioning. The research questions that are the focus of this report are: What is the contribution of the background characteristics of the drug-using inmate to (1) postprogram contacts with treatment agencies, and to changes in (2) criminal recidivism, (3) drug abuse. and (4) psychosocial functioning? And, what is the contribution of the relationThis study was performed by UNRAB University of Nijmegen Research Group on Addictive Behaviors and was subsidized by the Dutch Ministry of Justice and the Dutch Ministry of Welfare, Health and Cultural Affairs. Requests for reprints should be sent to Dr. M. H. M. Breteler, UNRAB. P.O. Box 9104. 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands.